I've been captivated by Dan Haseltine's blog
www.danhaseltine.com this week. If you don't know who Dan Haseltine is...he's the frontman for my all-time favorite band Jars of Clay
www.jarsofclay.com . I'm intrigued by Jars' new direction...which is essentially their original direction. I'm also intrigued by his different views on things...even if I disagree with a few of them. But what I've been liking a lot is when Dan re-visits a song he wrote, and puts a personal story to it. I thought I'd try my hand at that myself. So here's entry number 1.
I think I'll start with a Paging Samuel song called Marble Heart (I Need You ). Our original lead guitarist Vinny Blanche came up with the riff for this song. Vinny was always coming up with something new...and he was full of life. He loves Dave Matthews Band, and pretty much has a funky acoustic Jack Johnson vibe. So it was a regular thing for him to come in with some fun, new guitar part to work off of.
But what to write? Lyrics are always my thing. Not sure if it's mostly because I may be good at it, if I'm just a control freak...or maybe a little of both. Well...one thing's for sure. I'm really great at wanting to want to follow God. I certainly talk the talk. But walking the walk? I trip up constantly. I'm beyond lazy spiritually and otherwise. So I try...but not really. I know I need Jesus to pick me up and teach me...but equally...if not more...don't take the time to get to get to know Him.
Now, the original version was simply called "I Need You." Verse 2 said: "The time the time the time is near. My spirit can see it. It's not time not time to live in fear, but turn from our sin be watchful and ready. I wrote this based on my observations of the world we currently occupy. Too much is happening. So many things I consider "signs of the times" are taking place. No, I'm no expert...and I could always be wrong. But really...even if I am wrong...do people (myself included) realize how important these times are regardless? So much is at stake.
I changed it to its current lyrical content because my focus changed. Songs don't always stay the same...sometimes even after years. They are living, organic, wonderful (not cardboard) creatures. In this case, it was only a year or two. Thing is, we cry. We cry out loud. We cry in silence. We cry in our innermost depths...at times not even sensing or recognizing our own pain. Our souls cry out to God, even as the rest of who we are wrestles with that same God. We can become numb. But we must strive. We must try...and try...and try. No matter what it takes...we must try. We may have to to try to walk with broken legs, feet, or both. And we can't do it on our own. We need a strength we'll never find in ourselves.
I may have already shared this with you...but I have a severely poor prayer life. I mean, I know I should pray...and I do here and there. But overall? Yup...I suck at it. So my music is one way I really get to dive into praying. And this song is a prayer to be made whole...into who I've been created to be. Hopefully, it's that for the listener as well. That being said, songs are also quite good at being exactly what one person needs to hear...and exactly something different yet, just as necessary to another. Art is funny and amazing that way. I'd be interested to hear (or read) your thoughts on this song, and what it's words may mean to you. I'll end simply by sharing the lyrics.
I try I try I try so hard without really trying
I try I try I fall apart...consistently inconsistent
Take me off of my broken feet, Oh Love of mine
Take me off of my broken legs
Teach me how to walk with Yours
Hold onto me
Make me the man You made me to be
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I cry I cry with a marble heart...no tears are flowing
I cry I cry I cry impart strength to do right to be watchful and ready
Take me off of my broken feet, Oh Love of mine
Take me off of my broken legs
Teach me how to walk with Yours
Hold onto me
Make me the man You made me to be
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
Hold onto me
Make me the man You made me to be
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do
I need You I need You I need You You know I do